Jim Harbaugh: 49ers, Raiders should get along

SANTA CLARA -- Jim Harbaugh has become so euphoric about the Bay Area's bountiful sports scene, he took a moment Friday to champion a let's-all-support-each-other movement.

That includes a call on 49ers and Raiders fans to not just coexist but become fond of their cross-bay neighbor.

"There should be great relations between the two teams," Harbaugh said after his formal press conference ended. "It doesn't have to be like Republicans and Democrats.

"We're very fortunate to have so many professional teams here."

Having started his NFL coaching career as a Raiders assistant in 2001-02, Harbaugh encouraged the 49ers and Raiders organizations to forge a kinship where they could someday be practice counterparts and trading partners, perhaps even co-tenants of the new Santa Clara stadium.

Harbaugh expressed awe at the Giants and A's ability to claim division crowns.

"A bunch of our guys have been inspired by what the Giants and A's are doing -- and will do," Harbaugh said.

An Ohio native, Harbaugh grew up cheering for the Cleveland Indians before sharing his dad's affection for the Detroit Tigers. He also joined his dad in worshiping Giants legend Willie Mays, who fulfilled Harbaugh's wish and visited the 49ers practice Wednesday.

Mays signed autographs and posed for pictures, including one with Harbaugh and 49ers CEO Jed York. Harbaugh immediately e-mailed that photo to his father Jack.

"Who would have ever thought a Harbaugh would be sitting next to Willie Mays with a smile on his face," Harbaugh said.

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Last month, Harbaugh expressed a desire to meet both Mays and Muhammad Ali, who recently visited brother John Harbaugh's Baltimore Ravens.

"We're feeling pretty good about ourselves. We got to meet Willie Mays," Jim Harbaugh said. "It doesn't get much better than that."